Ireland or Erin is Celtic; from Eri or Iar (western). Lloyd (State Worthies, article "Grandison"), with a
gravity which cannot but excite laughter, says the island is called the land of Ire because of the broils
there, which have extended over four hundred years. Wormius derives the word from the Runic Yr, a
bow. (See below.)
Ireland.
Called by the natives "Erin," i.e. Eri-innis, or Iar-innis (west island).
By the Welsh "Yver-den" (west valley).
By Apuleius, "Hibernia," which is Iernia, a corruption of Iar-inni-a.
By Juvenal (ii. 260) "Juverna" or "Juberna," the same as Ierna or Iernia.
By Claudian "Ouernia," the same.
By moderns "Ireland," which is Iar-en-land (land of the west).
The three great saints of Ireland are St. Patrick, St. Columba, and St. Bridget.
The fair maid of Ireland. Ignis fatuus (q.v.).